Reputation from Pete Wenman - Page 14 - Battlefront.com Community

Pete Wenman reacted to akd in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 25, 2022

Continuation of previous Terra video of Ukrainian operation to seize a village:
Looks like the Russian IFVs are BMD-2s, so presumably a VDV unit.

Pete Wenman reacted to BletchleyGeek in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 24, 2022

On other important news too

Pete Wenman reacted to CAZmaj in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 24, 2022

I was born and grew up in former Yugoslavia (not Serbian) which does make me quite partial to Ukrainians. I checked with my former coworkers of Ukranian origins and they fully endorse the following:
https://www.patreon.com/uaexplainers
21 HOURS AGO
9 things people still don’t get about Ukraine
Thoughts from a bunch of stubborn Ukrainians after eight months of the invasion. Feel free to share this with people who still find it hard to understand why Ukrainians think or act in certain ways.
1. Ukraine will never surrender.
This is an existential war for Ukrainians. If we stop fighting, our homes will be turned into rubble, our children will be taken away, and our people will face mass terror. Every place that experienced Russian occupation in Ukraine has a similar story to tell: a story of mass graves, torture chambers, filtration camps, and forced deportations.
All that means that Ukrainians are prepared to fight no matter how long it takes – because they are fighting for survival. Nobody “makes” Ukrainians fight – not the government and most certainly not the Western arms. With or without military or political support from the democratic world, Ukraine will keep on resisting – because we are fighting for our right to exist.
For us, the reality of perpetual military resistance is more acceptable than the reality of the Russian occupation.
2. None of us is okay – even if we say we are.
In the first weeks following the February 24 invasion, Ukrainians were in a state of shock and terror. The shock passed, but the collective trauma never started to heal. Every day people across Ukraine keep dying from Russian shelling. Every week new stories of horror of Russia’s genocidal campaign emerge. Each week brings a new little catastrophe – and every week a little part of us quietly dies inside.
This has become the new norm Ukrainians are learning to navigate. So, when you ask a Ukrainian friend or colleague whether they’re okay, keep in mind that this question has lost its meaning to most of us. We are not okay and we don’t know if we’ll ever be okay again.
But we keep holding on. In a way, trying to be okay as Ukrainians is the final act of resistance against Russia’s attempt to wipe out everything that is Ukraine.
3. Ukraine is fighting against Russian colonialism, not just Putin.
Putin may have pulled the trigger, but the root of the invasion lies deeper than the current regime in Russia. For centuries, Russia has led colonial conquests from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Far East. It conquered and assimilated multiple indigenous peoples – and exterminated those who resisted.
Russian colonialism remained largely under the radar this whole time, and its crimes are much less studied. As a result, the Russian imperial worldview has remained unchecked and unchallenged – and has expressed itself in multiple invasions since 1991: Transnistria, Ichkeria, Chechnya, Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria.
The war might be paused when Putin’s regime implodes, but Ukrainians know all too well that a lasting peace is only possible with a decolonized and disarmed Russia that rethinks its past and future.
Until then, the untamed beast of Russian colonialism will seek to continue its imperial conquest in Ukraine and elsewhere.
4. Russian-speaking Ukrainians are not “more Russian.”
Yes, most Ukrainians are bilingual. Yes, 26% of Ukrainians are Russian-first speakers and 27% speak an equal amount of Russian and Ukrainian in their daily lives. But do you know why?
While some foreigners still believe that it has mostly to do with ethnicity and political ideology, the widespread use of the Russian language in Ukraine is mostly the result of centuries-old Russification policy.
Since the 19th century, Ukrainians were deliberately banned from using their language in education, labor, and public spheres of life. The Russification process prevailed throughout Soviet rule. As a result, millions of Ukrainians switched to Russian and deliberately hid their Ukrainian traces. And Ukraine learned to exist successfully as a nation of bilinguals.
So, if you meet Ukrainians who speak Russian in their daily lives, do not assume they are “more Russian” than any other Ukrainian or that they support Russia in any way. They probably have a more interesting story to tell about language and identity – just ask them.
5. Ukraine never had a Nazi problem.
Not only Nazis in Ukraine had nothing to do with Russia’s invasion, but the entire notion of Ukraine being run by the far-right is and always has been ridiculous.
The story of a “dangerous Nazi regime in Kyiv” has always been nothing more than a Russian propaganda myth. The idea of “Banderites” running amok was first voiced on Russian state TV when Ukrainians went to the streets to protest against a corrupt dictatorship in 2013. As Russia invaded and destabilized parts of Ukraine in 2014, it kept weaponizing and feeding the Nazi myth thus justifying its involvement and legitimizing the occupation.
Ukraine’s far-right movements have always been marginal and never had more than 5% of public support combined. Unlike many European states that do have a problem with far-right populism or Russia – a country running on aggressive fascist ethnonationalism for decades – Ukraine never really had a Nazi problem.
There is nothing humane or intellectual in trying to justify a brutal genocidal campaign by parroting propaganda claims crafted by the Kremlin. At this point, anyone trying to counterbalance Russian war crimes by appealing to the “Nazis in Ukraine” narrative is either a paid Russian shill or just a useful idiot. There is no point talking to these people anymore – we just need to stop providing them with a platform for spreading fascist propaganda.
6. Ukraine is a democracy. Zelensky acts as our representative.
Ukraine is not perfect. The issues with social trust, corruption, and poor state management have persisted for decades and hurt our country in various ways. But Ukrainians always fought back whenever authoritarianism loomed over: they protested in 2004 after a rigged election, and overthrew a corrupt wannabe dictator in 2014.
And yes, Ukraine still has a lot to improve – which would have been a lot easier if we didn’t have to constantly defend ourselves from Russia’s territorial aggression since 2014. But despite an external threat, Ukraine remained devoted to democratic values and reforms.
Not many people understand that Zelensky – a President who received 73% of the public’s vote in 2019 – always speaks and acts on behalf of the Ukrainian people. Following the full-scale invasion, Zelensky’s actions received praise and support from 91% of Ukrainians.
There has never been such a clear connection between the President and the people in Ukraine – and there are probably not a lot of examples of such political unity in modern-day democracies. All notions of Zelensky forcing anything onto Ukrainians are completely out of touch with reality.
7. We will not shut up. Not anymore.
For too long, the Ukrainian perspectives were silenced by Russia and pro-Russian sentiments around the globe. Like many other nations colonized by Russia, Ukraine had to shut up and, at best, politely debate whatever Russians had to say.
This colonial legacy has stayed long after 1991. Ukrainians were consistently denied agency: their pro-EU and pro-NATO choices were explained through conspiracies about the “US and NATO aggressive expansion.” Discussions about Ukraine often happened without Ukrainians themselves but with well-established carriers of the Russian colonial views on Ukraine.
All of this must remain in the past. We will not shut up and listen to another round of Russian imperial bull****, casual tone-deaf Westsplaining, or another Russian state-sponsored gaslighting campaign.
As the genocide against our people continues, we will remain unapologetically Ukrainian – and we will make sure our voices are loud and clear from now on.
8. Yes, we think all Russians are responsible for the war.
Ukrainians do not blame just Putin or the elites for the war – we blame the entire Russian nation. Putin and his cronies do not personally launch high-precision missiles at residential buildings. They don’t torture and mutilate civilians living under occupation. They don’t take away Ukrainian children and don’t try to “re-educate” them. They don’t loot, rape, and murder us. They don’t attack Ukrainians abroad or online. Ordinary Russians do all those things. All while the rest of them are silently and passively going along with the genocide for 8 months – or running away from their country and responsibility.
Those who fight against Putin’s regime carry the burden of responsibility as well. Even if they tried to make it right – they failed, and that’s just a fact. They failed as a state, as a society, and now millions of Ukrainians are suffering from genocide because of this ongoing collective failure.
Until Russians recognize and own this political responsibility, there is nothing for us to talk about. Ukrainians have the right to a safe space without Russians – without their point of view, narratives, or offers to help. And there’s nothing hateful about that. It’s a matter of personal safety and healing trauma.
Keep in mind that, unlike most people around the world, Ukrainians have lived close to Russians for centuries. We speak and understand their language – and we can follow their conversations on social media and in real life. We know how xenophobic, chauvinistic, and cynical the average Russians are. And we perfectly realize how their imperial attitudes have made this war possible in the first place.
9. Ukrainians are afraid of what comes next. But we won’t surrender to our fears.
Some people think that Ukraine’s stubbornness may lead to a full-blown world war or a nuclear catastrophe. What these people fail to understand is that Ukrainians want peace more than anyone in the world. It’s our homes getting pillaged. It’s our children being murdered.
The only country that tries to occupy a sovereign state all while blackmailing the rest of the world with nuclear catastrophe is Russia. Like it or not, the genie is out of the box – Russia is already a fascist dictatorship on nukes that invades its neighbors. It is already a threat to global security – and this has nothing to do with the way Ukraine resists. The entire notion that Ukraine can “escalate” the war by defending itself from an invasion within its internationally recognized borders is just absurd victim-blaming.
Ukrainians are afraid every night as we go to sleep and every morning while reading news of more death and destruction. But if we let our fears consume us, Russia will most likely win, and its illegal invasion, genocide, and nuclear blackmail will be rewarded. And this outcome is exactly what leads to another world war.
As Dmytro Kuleba recently said on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, “It’s absolutely normal not to have fear, yet to be afraid.” And that is exactly how it feels to be Ukrainian these eight months.

Pete Wenman reacted to Unremarkable Sunray in CMCW Unofficial Screenshot And Video Thread October 19, 2022

Last few mucking about 🙂

Pete Wenman reacted to Taranis in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 17, 2022

Stupid... The Russians learned nothing from the bombings of Germany, the Blitz or the Vergeltungswaffen.... It has no impact on the population other than increasing the nation's resolve to go all the way. You could say it's for internal opinion but there would be no need to send such intensive attacks (they waste their weapons).

Our best thoughts to our Ukrainian friends Haiduk, Kraze, Zeleban and all

Pete Wenman got a reaction from The Steppenwulf in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 16, 2022

a good aerial view of a section of the AT barrier seen earlier. This is literally on the western edge of Hirs'ke. Location is detailed on the image, but to make it easier to locate
48.74203501 38.47920273

Pete Wenman got a reaction from The Steppenwulf in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 16, 2022

From here
https://www.facebook.com/butusov.yuriy/posts/pfbid023oXx9zwGmAAVb4Cx4wwV3FN21sEqo3eBaahqWVqvv4FWVPk2o8qQhHtsEQSGhzTtl
Obviously this is easier said then done, and with a long lead time regardless. However if there is no internal device by which Putin can be deposed, and he has destroyed the norms by which wars are generally ended are we now facing a never ending war where Russia just refuses to accept its beaten. A lot of misery for a lot of people if that becomes the case.
P

Pete Wenman reacted to Haiduk in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 15, 2022

Ferrets now in Azov regiment, likely in recon unit. Number unknown

Pete Wenman reacted to Haiduk in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 14, 2022

Main reason of my reduced activity is a work and some tiring from this 8-month information marathone Concerning to strike consequenses in our district of Kyiv - cell phones and internet still working. Main discomfort - there wasn't hot water for three days. Two days electricity was turning off at the morning for two hours and two days ago all our district has plunged into the darkness from 20:00 to 1:00 of next day. As I know Irpin' town was turning off completely on two days.
Just a look from my balcony after the strike at the district thermal plant. There was two very loud booms. Most dense smoke is from missed missile. I don't know what could burn with such dark smoke.

Pete Wenman got a reaction from paxromana in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 12, 2022

From here
https://www.facebook.com/butusov.yuriy/posts/pfbid023oXx9zwGmAAVb4Cx4wwV3FN21sEqo3eBaahqWVqvv4FWVPk2o8qQhHtsEQSGhzTtl
Obviously this is easier said then done, and with a long lead time regardless. However if there is no internal device by which Putin can be deposed, and he has destroyed the norms by which wars are generally ended are we now facing a never ending war where Russia just refuses to accept its beaten. A lot of misery for a lot of people if that becomes the case.
P

Pete Wenman reacted to Zeleban in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 11, 2022

I have to temporarily leave the discussion, as after yesterday's strike, electricity is being delivered strictly on schedule. I'll be back as soon as the power comes back.

Pete Wenman reacted to Grigb in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 10, 2022

There are two man and two women. Women are in background. Their voices are barely audible. I can hear the following conversation:
[Nothing] blyat is seen What kind of truck is this? [mean that explosions could not be from that truck] I don't think it's a truck Of course Not a truck, such power [of explosion] It seems [not sure] to me that there are two explosions, no? If it had been a rocket [missile], it would have hit the second bridge as well

Pete Wenman got a reaction from Field Oggy in How Hot is Ukraine Gonna Get? October 8, 2022

When the Cold War (the original one ) was all the rage autobahn bridges and the like in West Germany were designed and built with chambers within them to assist with their demolition if required - Miesle Shafts.
These chambers could then be filled with special charges in time of war and allowed good demolition of the otherwise very tough reinforced concrete structures.
Is it plausible this bridge might have been constructed with something similar. Locations where charges placed would have greater effect than otherwise. Could this have become known to UKA and they exploited a weakness in some way ?
P